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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
The beginning of this book put it perfectly.
“And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild exaggeration and flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction. All is true”
Set during the time of The Emergency in India (1975-1977) - basically their own version of Martial Law, detailing the lives of four individuals brought together by circumstances of their time. Tackling issues from India's caste system/discrimination, government and police corruption, forced sterilisation, "beautification" program (forced "eviction" of the homeless), and many more. I find it hard to articulate my thoughts on this book (a very bleak one). But i'll try, lest I forget.
I love character driven books. I lived with the characters and empathised with their hardships. It put things into perspective. Living in a time where we have taken so many things for granted, the story puts the spotlight on people who are fighting everyday for some semblance of hope. A way to survive their current situations while upholding their dignity. Where happiness is a day without problems, a day with food on their table, a day where they have a place to sleep.
They tried to keep a fine balance between hope and despair . Where, in the midst of great trouble, they still found their own versions of happiness, however fleeting. Alas, not all stories follow a fairytale structure, with a world that owe us nothing, those who are already unfortunate tend to become worse off too.
A bittersweet title, all things considered, once you finish the book. As one of the characters put it: “Stories of suffering are no fun when we are the main characters.” .
But the book is without its faults (personally). The writing structure is not to my preference, with its omniscient narration. There were times that I felt myself taken out of the story, with the coincidences and chance encounters (reminiscent of Heart's Invisible Furies) takes me out of the story and would make me wonder the likelihood of such chances in a country as densely populated as India.
Went back and forth on what I thought of the book overall, but giving this anything below a 5 would be a great disservice to the story Mistry told. For for what the story has done, and the issues Mistry has shed light on, my issues on the book become such small matters.
“And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild exaggeration and flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction. All is true”
Set during the time of The Emergency in India (1975-1977) - basically their own version of Martial Law, detailing the lives of four individuals brought together by circumstances of their time. Tackling issues from India's caste system/discrimination, government and police corruption, forced sterilisation, "beautification" program (forced "eviction" of the homeless), and many more. I find it hard to articulate my thoughts on this book (a very bleak one). But i'll try, lest I forget.
I love character driven books. I lived with the characters and empathised with their hardships. It put things into perspective. Living in a time where we have taken so many things for granted, the story puts the spotlight on people who are fighting everyday for some semblance of hope. A way to survive their current situations while upholding their dignity. Where happiness is a day without problems, a day with food on their table, a day where they have a place to sleep.
They tried to keep a fine balance between hope and despair . Where, in the midst of great trouble, they still found their own versions of happiness, however fleeting. Alas, not all stories follow a fairytale structure, with a world that owe us nothing, those who are already unfortunate tend to become worse off too.
A bittersweet title, all things considered, once you finish the book. As one of the characters put it: “Stories of suffering are no fun when we are the main characters.” .
But the book is without its faults (personally). The writing structure is not to my preference, with its omniscient narration. There were times that I felt myself taken out of the story, with the coincidences and chance encounters (reminiscent of Heart's Invisible Furies) takes me out of the story and would make me wonder the likelihood of such chances in a country as densely populated as India.
Went back and forth on what I thought of the book overall, but giving this anything below a 5 would be a great disservice to the story Mistry told. For for what the story has done, and the issues Mistry has shed light on, my issues on the book become such small matters.
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence
***contains spoilers***
I couldn't put this one down. The characters and plot are riveting. Each life is interwoven so smoothly that even as I started wondering about a character, that person's life began to unfold. The evolution of people as their lives and circumstances changed was amazing and unpredictable. I loved Dina and how she grew from a beloved daughter of a doctor to a stubborn, independent woman. The story of her marriage was touching and beautiful. The relationship between the uncle and nephew was moving and believable. I really felt that I had a tiny grasp on the difficulties of the caste systems, political corruption, religious differences and struggles of life in India in the 70s and 80s. More importantly the book left me with a new insight into the struggle to maintain "a fine balance" in a world that frequently seems to be tilting in a negative direction. I liked it that Mistry did not take the easy way out and write a pat ending for such a complicated set of stories. This was an excellent book.
An example of Mistry's skill in telling these stories: We are introduced to the Beggarmaster and at some points feel real tenderness toward him. He seems to care for the people that he exploits. He keeps them safe. He lavishes attention on the parapalegic "Worm." However, the last time he appears in the novel, he is the victim of a murder brought on by his having taken two children, blinded them, cut off their hands and twisted their backs to make them a better source of revenue for his business. This is not a person for us to admire and warm to. In so many of the situations there is darkness and cruelty which exists alongside bits of kindness. Kinda like how we are dragged through the forced sterilizations and feel horror and repugnance. There is a trapped feeling as people are rounded up and sterilized against their wishes, but there are also two characters who actually wanted the procedures and recognized that they trapped by being forced to have children, and were unable to care adequately for any more children.
I couldn't put this one down. The characters and plot are riveting. Each life is interwoven so smoothly that even as I started wondering about a character, that person's life began to unfold. The evolution of people as their lives and circumstances changed was amazing and unpredictable. I loved Dina and how she grew from a beloved daughter of a doctor to a stubborn, independent woman. The story of her marriage was touching and beautiful. The relationship between the uncle and nephew was moving and believable. I really felt that I had a tiny grasp on the difficulties of the caste systems, political corruption, religious differences and struggles of life in India in the 70s and 80s. More importantly the book left me with a new insight into the struggle to maintain "a fine balance" in a world that frequently seems to be tilting in a negative direction. I liked it that Mistry did not take the easy way out and write a pat ending for such a complicated set of stories. This was an excellent book.
An example of Mistry's skill in telling these stories: We are introduced to the Beggarmaster and at some points feel real tenderness toward him. He seems to care for the people that he exploits. He keeps them safe. He lavishes attention on the parapalegic "Worm." However, the last time he appears in the novel, he is the victim of a murder brought on by his having taken two children, blinded them, cut off their hands and twisted their backs to make them a better source of revenue for his business. This is not a person for us to admire and warm to. In so many of the situations there is darkness and cruelty which exists alongside bits of kindness. Kinda like how we are dragged through the forced sterilizations and feel horror and repugnance. There is a trapped feeling as people are rounded up and sterilized against their wishes, but there are also two characters who actually wanted the procedures and recognized that they trapped by being forced to have children, and were unable to care adequately for any more children.
What a wonderful surprise of a novel! I began reading not really knowing to expect. And that is pretty much what happened throughout the whole book. Mistry paints a picture of heartache and misunderstanding and bad luck and prejustice and poverty and death in the most beautiful way. His characters are real--they are human in the most raw sense. Their flaws and endearing qualities are surprising and interesting just as they are in our own lives.
The story is at times heavy and full of language that is difficult to get through. I found this adds to the charm of the book. Readers should know that this is a book to read slowly, to digest a little bit at a time, as one would a rich piece of cheesecake.
The story is at times heavy and full of language that is difficult to get through. I found this adds to the charm of the book. Readers should know that this is a book to read slowly, to digest a little bit at a time, as one would a rich piece of cheesecake.
This brought out a lot of emotions for me. I can’t count the number of times I read, paused, tried to abandon it only to pick it up again and repeat the cycle. To me, this book wasn’t particularly about the 1975 Emergency in India which is the premise of the story. This book is quintessentially about how the poor, destitute and those of a lower caste are treated. What I took away from the book in the end is this – no matter which social class the characters belonged to, they all wanted the same thing – to be accepted, respected and to have the same opportunities. It’s surprising how the social classes appear to be superficially “different” but are, in many aspects very much alike.
Extremely descriptive and blunt about the realities of life in 1975 India, I learnt a lot about caste, especially the “untouchables” and ways they were oppressed. The oppression they faced not only chipped away at their spirits little by little but in turn, it seeped into their culture and psyche adversely. There are moments in the book where one class of untouchables oppressed another class of untouchables in the same way the higher or superior castes oppressed the ones below them. Also, it was shocking to me that in 1975, basic human necessities such as food, shelter, education and clothing were so scarce to those that were branded as “low caste” that the higher caste went around treating those below them so poorly, all in the effort to “protect” their social status among their own. It was emotional and at many times, downright disgusting, literally and metaphorically.
Indian born Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry has been shortlisted for The Booker prize three times and it’s no wonder why. Beautiful writing, pacing and phenomenal storytelling. This is not an easy book to read but so insightful because Mistry doesn’t sugar coat anything here. The poverty, the struggles of Indian women especially widows, female children and the plight of the Muslim minorities are laid out bear in this novel. The only thing I wished more for, was a little hope or light at the end of the tunnel but then again, that would defeat the purpose of what Mistry was trying to convey – which is, that the reality didn’t allow for much hope especially for certain classes of people in those days.
I enjoyed this book (with a heavy heart) although it was quite a task to finish all 614 pages of it. This is truly a beautiful tale, and I dare say in many ways, sadly relevant today, 45 years after. It makes one think about the consequences of class and segregation, how we look at another person from a different culture or way of life, how much we still need to change and to what extent it can go based on false perceptions. This book is just so full of important themes for a great, meaningful discussion about race – the human race.
Extremely descriptive and blunt about the realities of life in 1975 India, I learnt a lot about caste, especially the “untouchables” and ways they were oppressed. The oppression they faced not only chipped away at their spirits little by little but in turn, it seeped into their culture and psyche adversely. There are moments in the book where one class of untouchables oppressed another class of untouchables in the same way the higher or superior castes oppressed the ones below them. Also, it was shocking to me that in 1975, basic human necessities such as food, shelter, education and clothing were so scarce to those that were branded as “low caste” that the higher caste went around treating those below them so poorly, all in the effort to “protect” their social status among their own. It was emotional and at many times, downright disgusting, literally and metaphorically.
Indian born Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry has been shortlisted for The Booker prize three times and it’s no wonder why. Beautiful writing, pacing and phenomenal storytelling. This is not an easy book to read but so insightful because Mistry doesn’t sugar coat anything here. The poverty, the struggles of Indian women especially widows, female children and the plight of the Muslim minorities are laid out bear in this novel. The only thing I wished more for, was a little hope or light at the end of the tunnel but then again, that would defeat the purpose of what Mistry was trying to convey – which is, that the reality didn’t allow for much hope especially for certain classes of people in those days.
I enjoyed this book (with a heavy heart) although it was quite a task to finish all 614 pages of it. This is truly a beautiful tale, and I dare say in many ways, sadly relevant today, 45 years after. It makes one think about the consequences of class and segregation, how we look at another person from a different culture or way of life, how much we still need to change and to what extent it can go based on false perceptions. This book is just so full of important themes for a great, meaningful discussion about race – the human race.
Mistry expertly weaves the characters' narratives into the social and historical context of 1970s India, depicting the ways in which governmental failures affected different groups within society. This book follows a woman with an intense background, two tailors changing their prescribed fate and a student who's a bit lost.
[Trigger warnings for sexual harassment, male gaze, injury detail, grievous bodily harm/damage.]
My one huge critique of this book is the male protagonists sexualising every woman they lay eyes on. I understand that this book follows a realism format. Mistry does not shy away from the gritty reality of things. As a South Asian woman, who has experienced/witnessed that this is a realistic portrayal, it's still horrible to read the flippant and sometimes comedic way these harmful things are portrayed.
[Trigger warnings for sexual harassment, male gaze, injury detail, grievous bodily harm/damage.]
My one huge critique of this book is the male protagonists sexualising every woman they lay eyes on. I understand that this book follows a realism format. Mistry does not shy away from the gritty reality of things. As a South Asian woman, who has experienced/witnessed that this is a realistic portrayal, it's still horrible to read the flippant and sometimes comedic way these harmful things are portrayed.
incredibly bleak
story of how social/political circumstances shape the lives of characters
story of how social/political circumstances shape the lives of characters
You see, you cannot draw lines and compartments, and refuse to budge beyond them. Sometimes you have to use your failures as stepping-stones to success. You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair. In the end, it's all a question of balance.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character